The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
A Captain once asked the Englishman who was here to help them in
their wars; the Englishman, wishing to evade him, answered with
superficial reasons: to wit, that some of his men were sick, and
that his people would not get along well with the Savages. And
this Captain so pertinently refuted all his objections that the
Englishman was compelled to say: "I need my men, I am afraid the
French will come and attack us." Then the Savage said: "Now thou
art talking, we understand thee well; thus far, thou hadst said
nothing." They acquiesced in this reason. When they are made to see
the conformity of the law of God with reason, I do not think that
much opposition will be found in their minds. Their will, which is
extremely volatile and changeable, when enlightened by the grace
of [120] him who will call them, will at last be brought into the
line of duty. In the third place, these people may be converted by
means of seminaries; and how necessary it is to educate at Kebec
the children of the Savages, who belong to settlements farther up
the river. We shall have them [the children] at last; for they
will give them, if they see that we do not send them to France. As
to the children of this section, they must be sent up there. The
reason is, that the Savages prevent their instruction; they will
not tolerate the chastisement of their children, whatever they
may do; they permit only a simple reprimand. Moreover, they think
they are doing you some great favor in giving you their children
to instruct, to feed, and to dress. Besides, they will ask a great
many things in return, and will be very importunate in threatening
to withdraw their children, if [121] you do not accede to their
demands.
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